Michael Schenker was one of the most popular metal guitarists of the '70s and the '80s. Along with his brother Rudolf, Michael Schenker formed the seminal German heavy metal band, the Scorpions. He only recorded one album with the group before splitting to join UFO. Schenker stayed with the group until 1978. After departing UFO he briefly rejoined the Scorpions for the 1979 Lovedrive album before forming his own band, the Michael Schenker Group; the band's name was eventually abbreviated to MSG. Throughout the '80s, MSG's lineup changed, as they released eight albums over the course of the decade. In 1991, he joined the metal supergroup Contraband, which also featured members of Ratt, L.A. Guns, Vixen, and Shark Island. The following year MSG released their ninth album, Never Ending Nightmare; Adventures of the Imagination and Thank You with Orchestra followed in 2000; Odd Trio appeared the next spring. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide.